A team mission… and a family one

Behind every treatment and every operation are teams that aren’t often talked about — but without them, nothing would be possible: the teams of the Medical Device Reprocessing Unit (MDRU). Present at all MUHC sites, they handle the daily cleaning, disinfection, assembly, sterilization, and distribution of medical instruments so they can be safely reused.

At the MDRU, rigour and coordination are essential. The spaces are organized in a one-way flow, from the soiled area to the clean and non-sterile area, to prevent any cross-contamination. This work requires extreme precision—but above all, it relies on unwavering teamwork.

During this Medical Device Reprocessing Week, we are highlighting the teams across all sites while spotlighting the work of Gloria Magingas, team leader at the Glen site MDRU.

“This work is much more complex than people realize,” explains Gloria Magingas, team leader. “Everyone has a specific role. Nothing gets done alone — it’s truly teamwork that makes us strong.”

She arrived at the Montreal Children’s Hospital in 2005, then worked at the former Royal Victoria Hospital before experiencing the big move to the modern facilities at the Glen site. Over twenty years, she has seen technologies evolve, but not the spirit of collaboration that unites the MDRU teams across the entire MUHC.

She has passed on that spirit and passion for the profession to her family. Her sister Benedicta and brother-in-law Roderick Deriquito have joined the MDRU, while her two sons, Colin Michael and Grant Richard, also work at the MUHC.

And for her, “We are the MUHC” takes on a special meaning: the MUHC is more than a workplace — it’s truly a family story.

Here are the MDRU teams from across the MUHC sites. Congratulations on your essential work!